Flexible Impermeable Flashing With Fold Lines For Building Openings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building flashing technologies fail to effectively seal around building openings, particularly windows and doors, leading to water penetration issues due to lack of adaptability and rigidity in accommodating various opening sizes and corner configurations.

Innovation Solution

A flexible sheet of impermeable material with strategically formed fold lines, allowing for increased flexibility and the ability to form non-planar profiles, which can be folded to fit snugly around building openings, including corners, and integrated with weather barriers to prevent water ingress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional rigid flashing materials are used, then structural strength is maintained, but adaptability to various opening sizes and corner configurations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to opening sizes and corner configurationsVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The flashing is divided into multiple fold lines that create distinct sections, allowing the material to be segmented into configurable profiles that adapt to different opening sizes and corner configurations while maintaining overall structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flashing transitions from a rigid static structure to a dynamic configurable structure through fold lines that enable movement and reconfiguration, allowing the same flashing piece to adapt to various opening dimensions and corner types while maintaining strength when properly installed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If flexible material is used to accommodate various configurations, then adaptability improves, but sealing effectiveness and rigidity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfigurability for different openingsVSAvoidsealing effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible sheet material that can be folded and configured to fit various opening shapes and sizes, providing both adaptability and sealing effectiveness through the flexible nature of the material combined with proper fold line configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexibility and configurability of the flashing is achieved by changing the physical parameters of the material through fold lines, allowing the same material to maintain both flexibility for configuration and rigidity for sealing when folded into the proper profile

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If fold lines are added to increase flexibility, then adaptability to corners and edges improves, but manufacturing complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility for corner and edge fittingVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fold lines are pre-formed during the manufacturing process, performing the necessary deformation action in advance before installation, which simplifies the overall manufacturing process by eliminating the need for complex field adjustments or multiple assembly steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20220228422A1Flashing for a building opening

Publication Date: 2022.07.21 COSCARELLA GABE

AI summary

Flashing for a building profile is formed using a flexible sheet of impermeable material. The flexible sheet has one or more fold lines extending in a first direction and spaced across the flexible sheet in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. The one or more fold lines are defined by an increased flexibility relative to the flexibility of the flexible sheet.